Onazi must improve or lose Eagles place – Etim

Former Nigeria international, Etim Esin, has said Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, should improve to avoid losing his place in the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Etim, who praised the team for their 3-1 victory over Algeria, said Onazi had become the team’s weakest link in the midfield.

He said Chelsea midfielder Mikel and Fareinse of Portugal midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo should be praised for rising to the challenge when Turkey-based Onazi performed below expectations in the clash against Algeria in Uyo on November 12.

“The Eagles’ midfield for the game against Algeria was very different from the one which played Tanzania in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier and the World Cup qualifier against Zambia. The midfield (against Algeria) was stronger than the two previous matches,” the former Lokeren of Belgium midfielder told our correspondent.

“But Onazi must pick up the form we knew him for. He has dropped considerably from the reliable cover for the defenders. His passes are not as accurate as they used to be and he often exposes the defenders to danger.

“It was however a delight to watch the play between himself and Mikel and Etebo. – They really covered for Onazi. The moves leading to those two goals conceded against Zambia and Algeria could have been prevented if Onazi was the player we knew in 2013. He needs to work harder because if another player does well in that role, he may dropped from the team.”

The former Calabar Rovers player believes the Eagles will beat Cameroon but advised Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr to strengthen the team.

He said, “Nigeria are no strangers to Cameroon and they will want to put up a fierce battle when we meet them next year. But I believe that with adequate preparations the Eagles will defeat the Lions.”